eznews.inThe common swift, a remarkable bird, has been confirmed to fly for nearly ten months without landing, a feat first suggested by Welsh ornithologist Ronald Lockley in the 1970s. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden tracked 13 adult swifts using tiny data loggers, revealing that these birds spend over 99.5% of their time in the air, only landing for two months to breed. Notably, three swifts managed to remain airborne throughout their entire migration from Sweden to the Sahara and back. The study suggests that differences in feather molting may explain why some swifts land while others do not. Common swifts have evolved to be highly efficient flyers, with streamlined bodies and long wings that minimize energy expenditure. While it remains uncertain if they sleep while gliding, their extraordinary endurance has garnered admiration, highlighting the incredible capabilities of these small birds. The findings were published in Current Biology. 
Published: Jan 05 2026, 11 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified the opah, or moonfish, as the first fully warm-blooded fish, a finding that challenges conventional understanding of fish physiology. A 2015 study revealed that the opah circulates heated blood throughout its body, allowing it to maintain a temperature approximately 5°C warmer than the surrounding cold ocean water. This unique adaptation, facilitated by a counter-current heat exchange system in its gills, enhances the fish's ability to swim faster and see better, giving it a competitive edge as an agile predator in the deep sea. Previously thought to be slow-moving, the opah's newfound reputation highlights its active hunting capabilities, particularly in pursuit of squid. While other fish can generate heat in specific body parts, the opah stands out as the only known species with full-body endothermy, although research suggests there may be at least five related species.
Published: Jan 05 2026, 11 pmeznews.inNaked mole-rats, or *Heterocephalus glaber*, are unique mammals that exhibit characteristics akin to cold-blooded species, despite being warm-blooded. These nearly hairless rodents, native to East Africa, live in large, eusocial colonies, with a single breeding female and a few males, while the rest of the group remains reproductively suppressed. Unlike most mammals, naked mole-rats cannot maintain a steady body temperature, relying instead on their environment for thermoregulation. They huddle together to conserve heat and bask in sun-warmed tunnels, making them essentially cold-blooded in behavior. Remarkably, they also show resistance to cancer and insensitivity to certain chemical stimuli. Recent studies suggest that while they can initiate heat production, they struggle to retain it, challenging traditional classifications of thermoregulation in mammals. This complexity highlights the naked mole-rat's status as an evolutionary oddity within the mammalian kingdom.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 12 ameznews.in"The Martian," directed by Ridley Scott and based on Andy Weir's novel, is being praised as one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi films to date, with NASA even using it to promote upcoming manned missions to Mars in the 2030s. While the film's portrayal of a dust storm on Mars is criticized for its inaccuracy—given the planet's low atmospheric pressure—other elements, such as the travel time to Mars and the potential for growing plants in Martian soil, are deemed accurate. Experts consulted for the film confirmed that while the concept of taking off from Mars remains a significant challenge, the use of inflatable habitats is a viable option for future missions. Overall, the film scores five factual elements against three fictional ones and one tie, solidifying its reputation as a commendable blend of science and entertainment, especially when compared to less accurate predecessors like "Armageddon."
Published: Jan 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn 1917, a group of German soldiers returning from a disease-ridden campaign in Dobrudja were struck by dysentery, except for one soldier who remained unaffected. This anomaly piqued the interest of Professor Alfred Nissle at a Freiburg military hospital, who was studying the bacterial contents of the human intestine. Nissle's experiments revealed that certain strains of *Escherichia coli* could suppress pathogens like *Salmonella*, a phenomenon he termed "antagonistic activity." After isolating a particularly potent strain from the soldier's stool, Nissle named it *E. coli Nissle 1917* and developed it into a treatment, later patented as Mutaflor. This strain has shown promise in treating inflammatory bowel diseases and is approved in some European countries for conditions like ulcerative colitis. Interestingly, Adolf Hitler reportedly received this strain for his gastrointestinal issues, highlighting its historical significance. The legacy of this unknown soldier lives on through ongoing research and clinical applications of *E. coli Nissle 1917*.
Published: Jan 05 2026, 9 pmeznews.inGeologist Henry De la Beche’s watercolor, *Duria Antiquior*, vividly illustrates an ancient ecosystem inspired by fossils discovered by Mary Anning, marking a significant moment in palaeoart history. The field has evolved dramatically since De la Beche's time, with modern palaeoartists employing advanced techniques to recreate extinct species accurately. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating images has sparked debate over its effectiveness and ethical implications. Experts like palaeoartist Jay Balamurugan and biologist Andrey Atuchin argue that while AI can assist in data analysis, it struggles with scientific accuracy, often producing misleading representations of extinct animals. They caution against confusing AI-generated images with scientifically valid reconstructions, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of trained palaeoartists in conveying accurate depictions of prehistoric life. As misinformation proliferates, the work of these artists remains crucial in providing reliable, evidence-based visualizations of ancient ecosystems.
Published: Jan 05 2026, 10 pmeznews.inA new study has confirmed that ammonites survived the mass extinction event 66 million years ago, with fossils found in Denmark's Stevns Klint dating back at least 68,000 years into the Paleogene era. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that ammonites vanished alongside the dinosaurs, as researchers identified specimens from three genera—_Hoploscaphites_, _Baculites_, and _Fresvillia_—that show no signs of being reburied. Notably, _Fresvillia_ had not been previously recorded in Denmark from the late Cretaceous, suggesting it thrived post-extinction. Despite this evidence, the fossils disappear from the record within 200,000 years, raising questions about the eventual extinction of these resilient mollusks. The study highlights the "Dead Clade Walking" phenomenon, where a species survives a major threat but later succumbs, leaving scientists puzzled over the factors that led to the ammonites' decline despite favorable ocean conditions. The findings are published in *Scientific Reports*.
Published: Jan 05 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe period between Christmas and New Year’s can be disorienting, but for the people of Kiribati, the transition was particularly unusual in 1994, as they skipped December 31 altogether. Kiribati, a remote island nation in the central Pacific, faced a unique challenge due to its location straddling the International Date Line, resulting in a 23-hour time difference between its islands. To resolve this logistical nightmare, the date line was adjusted in 1995 to encompass all of Kiribati, ensuring that the entire nation shared the same date. Consequently, some islands transitioned directly from December 30 to January 1, 1995, without experiencing New Year’s Eve celebrations. This adjustment created a distinctive bulge in the International Date Line, highlighting Kiribati's geographical peculiarity. Similar adjustments have occurred elsewhere, such as in Samoa in 2011, which also erased a day to align with trading partners.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 3 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking experiment, researchers have once again challenged Albert Einstein's views on quantum mechanics, particularly his skepticism towards the principle of complementarity. This principle, championed by Niels Bohr, posits that certain properties of quantum systems cannot be measured simultaneously. A team led by Jian-Wei Pan at the University of Science and Technology of China recreated a version of the Einstein-Bohr thought experiment using optical tweezers to manipulate a rubidium atom. Their findings confirmed Bohr's predictions, demonstrating that the diffraction patterns produced by particles align with his theory, thereby reinforcing the concept of wave-particle duality. This new setup not only validates historical debates in quantum physics but also opens avenues for exploring complex issues like entanglement and decoherence, which are crucial for advancements in quantum computing. The study was published in the journal *Physical Review Letters*.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 10 pmeznews.inRecent genetic discoveries have reshaped our understanding of human classification, revealing that humans are not as distinct from apes as previously thought. Historically, humans were categorized in the family Hominidae, separate from other primates like chimpanzees and gorillas, which were placed in the Pongidae family. However, as research has shown our close genetic ties to these great apes, the term "hominid" has been redefined to include all great apes and their extinct ancestors. In contrast, "hominin" now specifically refers to the human lineage following our split from chimpanzees approximately seven million years ago. This new classification system places humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees in the subfamily Homininae, with humans further distinguished in the Hominina subtribe, highlighting our kinship with other primates while acknowledging our unique evolutionary path.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 3 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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